Hooked Up: Treasured memories are often all we have to hold onto

Wednesday

Dec 26, 2012 at 10:37 PMDec 26, 2012 at 10:48 PM

The recent poor weather conditions have left me with nothing much to do outside. These rainy, cold and off-quality days typically cause me to file through the stories in my mind in search of happier times.

Jim Kilchermann Jr.

The recent poor weather conditions have left me with nothing much to do outside. These rainy, cold and off-quality days typically cause me to file through the stories in my mind in search of happier times.

I will revisit fishing excursions with old friends and hunting camp hijinks and highlights that always leave me with a smile. In my book of life events, it is commonly the characters that make the lasting impressions and not necessarily the catch or harvest. I have had another reason to open old chapters of my life recently, and although the memories made me feel warm and brought several smiles to my face, in many instances they also brought tears to my eyes. I am sad to have lost another of my teachers, another inspiration and mostly, another friend from my life. This is never a good thing.

Terry Evans spent most of his life in Matherton, Mich. He had a loving and caring wife Sharon, and a son Terry Jr. While I knew him my entire life as one of my father's friends, band mates and racing buddies, I knew him, as many people did – simply as TJ.

TJ was a hot rodder, motorcycle rider, racer and mechanical engineer of sorts. The kids in town, myself included, watched with wide eyes as he designed and built the first three-axled custom van that we had ever seen. It still sits proudly close to his workshop.

His workshop has seen my bicycles, snow sleds, motorcycles and eventually my cars as "Uncle Terry" or TJ came to my assistance in time of need. I think this type of act was repeated by nearly every single boy, girl, man and woman of the area at one time or another.

With many mechanically inclined people, you might get a "What do you need now?" look as you drove or pushed your problem up to their garage. Not so with TJ. He often had a welding helmet on and would tip it up, turn toward you and give his heartfelt "What's up guy?" greeting accompanied by an ear-to-ear smile.

I remember as a child riding on a wagon, pulled by his trusty tractor, as he took several of us to the creek. Later he purchased the land along the creek, but always allowed us to fish on it. I have beautiful pictures burned into my mind of magnificent frozen water ice creations that TJ would create by allowing a water hose to run. These creations would often have color added and would be illuminated by lights at night to increase their beauty.

Terry played guitar nearly all his life and shared the gift of song with many people who might otherwise not have had the opportunity to enjoy the sweet sounds. Thursday nights in Ionia with the Commission on Aging was a regular "gig" with his wife and son accompanying him. They were also a featured act on the Free Stage at the Ionia Free Fair this past summer.

Judging by the attendance at his funeral service, I am not the only one who harbors kind memories of Terry. I can say this in complete honesty, I am certain that there have been more attendees at other services, I however, have never seen more people come to share in the memories and show their love for any friend.

Musician, engineer and mechanic aside, TJ will be remembered by me – and many others I suspect – as the type of friend and family man that does not come around but once in a lifetime. Thus, I will cherish the memories of one of my mechanical and hot rodding teachers and inspirations while I miss the man.

I am certain that I will hear his old tractor putting across the field the next time I wade down Fish Creek and I will close my eyes and imagine his kind grin as I remember my limited time with one of Matherton's finest sons, Terry Evans, who joins his parents, and brothers, Mike and Harvey, for a long-awaited reunion in paradise. So long and God's speed old friend and I'll see you again when I am done here.

Remember to cherish the time spent with friends and family, not only during the holidays but every day you have together. Remember to share stories of friends departed so that they might live on forever in the minds of others and remember, it is a great outdoors.

Jim Kilchermann is awaiting better fishing weather while he reminisces about old friends. He can be reached at jimkilchermann@yahoo.com. Feel free to drop him a line and share a tale or two. Until next time, stay out of the snags and keep all of your shots in the ten ring.

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